By Donald Wittkowski, OCNJDAILY
Ocean City withstood higher gas prices, lingering concerns about the economy and even some less-than-ideal weather to post a strong summer tourism season.
Overall, the season proved to be “strong and successful,” the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce said in an assessment of the pivotal summer months for local businesses.
Key sectors of the local economy such as restaurants, retail shops, lodging and special events reported steady business throughout the summer, the Chamber said in a news release Monday.
“The overall message was encouraging: 2026 was a good year for business in Ocean City,” the Chamber said.
For years, Ocean City has used the “America’s Greatest Family Resort” marketing slogan to promote itself as a family-friendly vacation spot.
Patrick McMahon, Chamber president, said the strong summer results this year show that visitors and families continue to view Ocean City as a favorite destination for vacations.
“We are very pleased with what we are hearing from our members,” McMahon said. “Our businesses put in an incredible amount of work to make the summer season successful, and it is great to hear that their efforts paid off. From our hotels and restaurants to our retailers and event organizers, there is a real sense of pride in what Ocean City accomplished this year.”
McMahon emphasized that the success of the summer season is a reflection of the entire community.
“None of this happens because of one business or one organization,” he said. “It takes all of us – our business owners, employees, residents, volunteers and visitors – working together. Ocean City has a tremendous business community, and we are grateful to everyone who helped make 2026 such a positive season.”
Labor Day weekend brought plenty of visitors to the Ocean City Boardwalk.
Wes Kazmarck, president of the Boardwalk Merchants Association, also characterized the summer season as strong.
“In the end, I think everyone is pretty happy, all things considered,” Kazmarck said in an interview
Judging by the strength of the summer season, Ocean City seemingly was not seriously harmed by higher gas prices, inflation, overall concerns about the national economy and even some bouts of rainy weather.
Summer began with a soggy Memorial Day weekend that was a virtual washout. Some rainy weather also interrupted other parts of the summer season. But things closed out with a spectacular Labor Day weekend, the traditional end to the summer season at the shore.
“Labor Day was awesome,” Kazmarck said.
Despite concerns about higher gas prices and their impact on the summer travel season, they may have actually worked in Ocean City’s favor, Kazmarck said.
Vacationers from Ocean City’s feeder markets of Philadelphia, North Jersey and New York apparently chose to stay closer to home by making short jaunts to the shore instead of taking more expensive, far-flung plane trips, he pointed out.
“I think our base is very strong,” he said.
Kazmarck, the owner of the Surf Mall retail complex on the Boardwalk, is also a member of the Ocean City Tourism Development Commission.
Traditionally, Ocean City has relied on the Philadelphia area as its primary feeder market for tourists. However, the Tourism Development Commission has been looking to expand its base by also drawing tourists from North Jersey and New York, Kazmarck explained.
“It’s starting to pay off,” he said.
Now that summer is ending, Ocean City hopes to transition into a year-round destination, even during snowy winter.
Like McMahon, Kazmarck also praised the local businesses for their efforts to make Ocean City inviting to vacationers.
“I think everyone worked hard,” Kazmarck said.
Following the closing of the iconic Wonderland Pier amusement park in October 2024, questions remain about what will eventually happen to the high-profile piece of property at the north end of the Boardwalk. City officials continue to discuss the possibility of a luxury hotel being built at the former Wonderland site.
In the meantime, business owners stepped up their efforts to make the Boardwalk more appealing in Wonderland’s absence, Kazmarck said.
“Everyone saw the situation with 600 Boardwalk,” he said of Wonderland’s empty location.
Now, as the traditional summer season winds down, the Chamber of Commerce plans to work with its members and community partners to promote Ocean City as a year-round destination.
“Our message now is simple: the summer may be over, but Ocean City is not,” McMahon said. “We have businesses that are open throughout the fall, winter and spring, and there are plenty of reasons to visit Ocean City beyond the traditional summer season. We encourage both visitors and local residents to continue supporting our businesses and discovering everything Ocean City has to offer throughout the year.”
